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The Smalcald Articles – part 60
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Revelation 22:20–21
Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Click for a recording of today's lesson.
From the Confessions: The Smalcald Articles
The Council will have enough to condemn in these four articles, as they cannot and will not concede to us even the least point in one of these articles. We should be certain of this, and stir up the hope of Christ within us: that our Lord has attacked his adversary, and will prevail by both his Spirit and coming. Amen.
Pulling It Together: If we are looking for things to go our way in a public election, in the choice of a church leader, or in an assembly’s vote, we should not get our hopes up. Despite the outcome, our hope remains the same. When things do not turn out the way we would have them, we must remember where our real hope lies. Edward Mote wrote these encouraging words of reminder: “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.” Jesus reigns — not councils, assemblies, polls, and courts. All is not finished because of a Church Council’s decisions. The world has not come to an end because a pastoral search did not end with the call you would have made. Would that this world would come to an end over such a thing. “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!”
Prayer: Jesus, Conqueror, be Lord of my life. Amen
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Author
Rev. Dr. Mark E. Ryman has served as Pastor for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Salisbury, NC, since 2021. Previously, Pastor Ryman served congregations in North Carolina and Ohio, as well as a call to specialized ministry with Sola Publishing.
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